Meghan Skips Brussels Speech After Father's Arrest, Harry to Speak Alone

Meghan Markle has withdrawn from delivering a joint speech with Prince Harry at the European Parliament in Brussels because she is "not strong enough" emotionally following her father's arrest. Thomas Markle Sr appeared in court in the US on Friday charged with possession of child sexual abuse images.

The Duchess will still travel to Brussels with Harry and accompany him to the event, but she will not speak. A spokesperson confirmed she will join him at the gathering focused on online child safety.

“She's just not strong enough, emotionally, to be doing any public speaking right now.”

Harry will now deliver the keynote address alone at the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial, an art installation honouring children who died after being subjected to online harm. The exhibition features smartphone-shaped light-boxes displaying lock screen photographs of children or young people who died due to online harm.

The couple were originally due to share between 15 and 20 minutes for a rare dual address on children's digital safety. Harry's speech will not touch on his father-in-law's arrest.

They will also listen to addresses by European Parliament president Roberta Metsola and MEP Antonio Lopez-Isturiz, first vice-chair of the Child Rights Intergroup. Harry will later join a panel discussion called Beyond Promises: Building A Digital Future That Works For Children.

The Brussels event will be Meghan's first public appearance since the allegations surrounding Thomas Markle Sr emerged. Harry and Meghan returned to the UK at the end of August after previously unveiling the temporary Lost Memorial installation in New York City in 2025.